Meningococcal B is a serious bacterial infection that can result in death or lifelong disabilities such as brain damage or the loss of limbs.
While Year 10 students receive a meningococcal vaccine at school under the National Immunisation Program, it only protects against strains A, C, W and Y - leaving young Victorians at unacceptable risk.
A Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government will provide funding to:
- Deliver a meningococcal B vaccine for all infants aged 6 weeks to 12 months and for adolescents in Year 10.
- Establish a catch-up program for children aged 12 months to two years and young people aged 15 to 19.
Currently, Victorian families must pay around $300 for the meningococcal B vaccine, placing financial pressure on households already struggling with rising costs.
South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory already fund this vaccine, leaving Victoria behind despite repeated calls from medical experts and community advocates.
As at October 2025, 14 cases of meningococcal B have been recorded in Victoria this year, including 16-year-old Levi Syer who died from the disease in September.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: "Every parent deserves confidence their child is protected from this deadly disease. Right now, too many Victorian families can't afford that protection or don't realise their child isn't covered.
"Funding this vaccine is a simple and responsible step that will save lives and ease cost of living pressures for families.
"Victoria should not be behind other states when it comes to protecting babies and teenagers."
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said: "Meningococcal B is a fast-moving and devastating disease that mainly affects babies and teenagers.
"The Victorian Liberals and Nationals have been calling on the Labor Government for this funding for years, but those pleas have fallen on deaf ears. We will act where Labor has failed.
"Other states are already doing it, and there is no reason Victorian children should be left behind.
"This investment will prevent severe illness and help save lives. It is time to put the health of Victorian children first."
Key Points:
- Meningococcal B (Men B) is a very serious disease that, while uncommon, can progress rapidly in healthy people without warning, causing death in 5-10 per cent of cases or lifelong disability such as brain damage or limb loss in 10-20 per cent of cases.
- The groups most at risk are babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
- The Commonwealth Government's Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends that all children under two and adolescents aged 15-19 receive the Men B vaccine.
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has called for expanded access to the free vaccine.
- In the first two years of South Australia's program, there was a 60 per cent reduction in Men B cases among infants and a 73 per cent reduction among adolescents.
